Archive for the ‘Minnesota Timberwolves’ Category

The Timberwolves and Trailblazers have quite a history when it comes to player battles in recent years. First the Wolves took on what turned out to be an injured Martel Webster, the Blazers failed to disclose Webster had back problems…..

Then Blazers star Brandon Roy retired last year due to his knee issues, only to come out of retirement and sign with the Timberwolves, this one stings Portland because the amnestied Roy thus relinquishing rights to sign him as a free agent for three years.

Last but not least we have the preverbial jewel as it were in the battle royal, swingman Nicolas Batum, after weeks of speculation the frenchman has finally signed his offer sheet with the Wolves, the Blazers are now officially on the clock in this edgy game of chicken having 72 hours to match or lose Batum to the Wolves.

In recent days Minnesota GM David Kahn and Portland GM Neil Olshey have been engaged in sign and trade talks that have ranged to the moon (multiple first round picks) and back (with just players) for Batum’s services to come to the Wolves, Portland has vowed from day one they would match any Wolves offer for Batum, and in fact the two GM’s have behaved like babies in the media because of this BFB (Battle for Batum)

Ultimately here Portland holds all the leverage, Nicolas is a RFA so the Blazers have his rights. I want Batum on the Wolves but not for multiple first round picks, make it maybe one future first rounder and a player or two, but if it isn’t meant to be at a reasonable cost then it isn’t meant to be at all.

I expect the Blazers to match and thereafter we’ll see where the BFB goes, it may end outright but what would the fun be in that, I say Neil and David go meet Jerry…..maybe they can bring Dwight Howard too! Ha……

The Minnesota Timberwolves are a young team on the rise in the NBA. Led by superstar power forward Kevin Love and Head Coach Rick Adelman they like the hit song by Pitbull is titled are showing some International Love this offseason.

Adding 6’6″ Alexey Shved from Russia, I expect him to flourish off ball screens in Adelman’s offense.

Aa well they have agreed to an offer sheet with Portland Trail Blazers player and French born star Nicolas Batum. The Blazers have indicated they intend to match the offer sheet, however the Wolves are pursuing sign and trade options to bring Batum into the den at Target Center definitively.

Batum would be a great addition for the team, the Wolves have expiring contracts of Martell Webster and Brad Miller to offer up with the potential of J.J. Barea, Luke Ridnour, Wesley Johnson or Derrick Williams hitting the Oregon Trail as well.

If I had a vote I’d say give Wesley and J.J. but hey who am I? As well one would expect the team to likely exercise its amnesty option on Darko Milicic’s contract to free up more cap space. Oh snap I was just about to buy his #31…(just kidding) bye bye Darko I won’t shed a tear.

Russia and France aside for a moment I would do an injustice to the International path the team is on, without mentioning Spanish sensation Ricky Rubio who dazzled all of us with his magical passes until tearing his ACL. Ricky is expected back next year but not likely at the season start at this point.

The thought of the Spaniard, teaming with the Russian, and Frenchmen intrigues me I hope it becomes reality.

Let us not forget Rubio, Shved & Batum would be teaming with rising player and Montenegrin Bulldozer Nicola Pekovic. A true International Wolf Pack if you will.

Added already this offseason was former Blazers All-Star Brandon Roy who is returning to league after sitting out last year with knee conditions, Roy can be great again without a doubt but it’s up to Rick Adelman to manage his minutes.

Of course Kevin Love is the unprecedented heart of this team, he was recently quoted as stating “I want to win” Well Kevin as a fan of this I team I want you to win too, I hope these moves and more wins become a reality. Go Wolves…..Hoooowwwll!

ESPN.com details the Shved move, and the potential Batum sign and trade here